We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Javier Bonacina has joined the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as a full-time General Cardiologist with the Department of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Bonacina earned his Medical Degree from the National University of Tucumán in Argentina. He holds specialty certifications in both Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology, having trained at the National University of Tucumán and the National University of La Plata, respectively. Dr. Bonacina brings extensive experience in advanced cardiac electrophysiology, having completed a two-year Adult Advanced Invasive Electrophysiology Fellowship at McMaster University’s Hamilton General Hospital, where his work included electrophysiology lab procedures, cardiac device implantation, and arrhythmia clinics.
Dr. Bonacina served as an Electrophysiologist at leading medical centers in Argentina, including Yunes Clinic and Hospital Angel C. Padilla. He has presented at numerous national and international conferences and contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications on the topics of cardiac arrhythmias, electrophysiology, and heart failure.
Fluent in both Spanish and English, he is passionate about collaborative patient care and medical education, and is known for his commitment to advancing arrhythmia management and cardiac health.
Let’s all extend a warm welcome to Dr. Javier Bonacina!
Emancipation Day is observed annually on August 1, to mark the day in 1834 when the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 came into effect—however, full emancipation for enslaved peoples in Canada would not be realized until several years later, on July 31, 1838.
Although slavery was abolished in Canada, Black and Indigenous communities—including the descendants of those who were enslaved—continue to experience systemic racism and discrimination, and social and health inequities that contribute to disparities in health outcomes, and negative impacts to physical and mental health.
Many Canadians remain unaware of Canada’s participation in the transatlantic slave trade, and the enslavement of Indigenous Peoples. This day is therefore an important opportunity to acknowledge Canada’s history, and to commit to addressing anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism.
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) recognizes the importance of providing culturally-safe and responsive care, and fostering an inclusive environment for our patients, their families, and our staff. In order to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion in all that we do, TBRHSC will:
Develop a Black Health Plan. The Black Health Plan will be a roadmap to creating equitable health conditions for Black populations
Continue to advance culturally-safe care through staff education and training, and cultural activities and initiatives at TBRHSC
Provide culturally safe services. Indigenous Care Coordinators, the Traditional Wellness Coordinator, Spiritual Care Associates, and Patient Advocates support patients’ unique preferences, needs, values, and culture throughout their care journey
Good Catch Awards highlight individuals, groups or departments who demonstrate their commitment to keeping patients safe by reporting a near miss. A ‘good catch’ (or near miss) is an event or situation that could have resulted in harm, but did not reach the patient because of chance or timely intervention. Reporting these events can help to identify gaps in order to prevent future adverse events from happening.
Donna, a nurse in the Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU), heard people talking outside the unit after hours and went to find out what was happening. Plain clothes policemen were about to enter the PACU to interview a patient. Donna stopped them and asked them to discuss the request with the Admin Coordinator, as per policy. Good catch!
While working on 2B, Andrew noticed that the physician had ordered Amlodipine 200 mg – an unusually large amount for this medication. Andrew did not draw up the medication and sought clarification from the MRP. The order should have been for Amiodarone 200 mg so the MRP rewrote the order and Andrew administered the correct medication and dose. Good eye!
Jen, RN and Shelly, IR Booking Clerk are both part of the Diagnostic Imaging team. When Jen was consenting a patient for her thoracentesis procedure, the patient asked if she would also be receiving her liver biopsy but Jen saw only the thoracentesis for that day. The following day when clarifying procedures with Shelly, Jen inquired about the patient’s liver biopsy. Shelly had not received the order so Jen called the floor to have them enter the order and Shelly worked quickly to have the procedure booked within an hour of receiving the requisition. The floor was also requested to hold the patient’s anticoagulants so that the procedure could be completed that day. Great teamwork and patient advocacy!
Thank you to all for your diligence and dedication to safety! Each recipient has been awarded a certificate and gift cards to local businesses to enjoy this summer.
New winners will be selected every quarter. Continue submitting your near misses for a chance to win! Near miss reports are submitted through the Incident Learning System (patient safety incidents). Click on the ‘safety reporting’ icon from your Novell home page, or go to the iNtranet and choose ‘Safety Reporting’ under ‘Informational’.
For more information, contact Terry Fodë, Patient Safety Improvement Specialist (terry.fode@tbh.net).
Strategic Plan 2026 is a joint plan developed by Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute (TBRHRI). It is guided by five key pillars: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Patient Experience; Staff Experience; Research, Innovation and Learning; and Sustainable Future.
Each year, one of these strategic priorities is highlighted through a video that showcases impactful initiatives aligned with our shared vision.
This year, we are proud to focus on Patient Experience—demonstrating our ongoing commitment to delivering compassionate, patient-centred, and high-quality care that reflects the diverse needs of patients and families across Northwestern Ontario.
I hope this message finds you well and that you’re enjoying the beautiful summer season. As we move through these warm months, I wanted to take a moment to connect and share some important updates.
If you’ve been around the Hospital and Health Research Institute lately, you’ve likely noticed a buzz of construction and renovations. Thank you all for your patience as these much-needed upgrades take shape. Our building is over 20 years old, and with the growth in services and clinical demands, it’s essential that our facilities evolve to meet the needs of patients, staff, and community.
Over the coming weeks, you’ll see more construction activity across the campus. One of the projects underway is the expansion of Lot G, which will add 15 additional patient parking spaces. While these improvements might temporarily affect parking and traffic flow, we are committed to minimizing disruptions and enhancing safety. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment that supports the well-being of everyone who walks through our doors—patients, families, and staff alike. Your understanding during this time is truly appreciated.
We are also making great strides with the Cardiovascular Surgery Program. Physically, construction is progressing steadily; clinically, we continue to recruit specialized talent essential to building a strong, skilled team. This program is being developed in collaboration with the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre (PMCC) at the University Health Network (UHN), following their proven processes to ensure the highest standards of quality and safety. We’re excited about the life-saving cardiac and vascular services this program will bring to our community. Recently, our city has experienced an increase in community violence and we continue to be at the top on the crime severity index. It is concerning for all of us and we understand that information and certain situations may raise concerns for our Hospital users, staff, and Professional Staff.
Please be assured that we are carefully finalizing plans to enhance safety and security measures throughout our facilities. Our priority is to ensure a supportive and protected environment for everyone.
Looking ahead, we’re eager to introduce further facility enhancements, adopt new technologies, and deepen our engagement with the communities we serve. I hope you continue to feel inspired and valued in your role, as together we build a brighter and more supportive future.
On a lighter note, I’m always energized by the innovative ideas shared during our Hello Innovation events. This staff-driven initiative welcomes ideas from everyone at the Hospital and Health Research Institute, fostering a culture of learning and creativity. The recent Innovation Pitch Ideas Series in June showcased eight fantastic proposals, with valuable feedback from a panel of experts. These efforts directly support our Strategic Plan 2026, and I encourage you to explore these ideas and consider participating in upcoming events.
Thank you again for the incredible work you do every day. I hope you find moments of rest and rejuvenation this summer.
As always, I welcome your feedback—whether about this blog or anything else on your mind. Feel free to reach out to me anytime at rhonda.ellacott@tbh.net. I truly appreciate hearing from you.
Shared on behalf of Ryan Sears, Code Grey – Air Exclusion Executive Sponsor
Environment Canada is continuing to issue special air quality statements for the Thunder Bay area related to smoke plumes from active wildfires this season. These fires put particles and gases into the air that can be harmful to human health. When this occurs, people may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches, or shortness of breath. With Ontario’s legislated fire season running from April 1 to October 31 annually, leadership will continue to monitor air quality advisories and adjust our Hospital’s response as required.
This month’s Employee Wellness Staff Newsletter (EWSN) is all about staying refreshed, nourished, and mindful. With International Self-Care Day (July 24) just behind us, it’s a timely reminder that self-care isn’t just a one-day event – it’s something we should prioritize every day.
In a hospital setting where you’re constantly caring for others, it’s essential to care for yourself, too. Whether its five minutes of quiet, a glass of water, or a nourishing meal, small acts of self-care help keep you grounded, strong, and well.
What’s Inside This Month’s Newsletter:
Make Your Water Bottle Your BFF This Summer
5 Reasons to Eat More Avocados
How Your Brain Remembers What You Ate
This Floss Knows When You’re Stressed
Can Reading Food Labels Help You Eat Better? (Dr. Don Hall weighs in)
